Chapter 1050: Five Luminary Disaster Stars

In the 1401st year of the Dragon Han era, a great catastrophe befell the Primordial Realm as disaster stars materialized and streaked across the sky.

The Primordial Realm was home to countless races, some dwelling in the myriad heavens and worlds surrounding the Primordial Tree, others nestled within its vast mountains and rivers. On that day, all races across these myriad worlds witnessed a five-colored radiance tearing through the Primordial Realm's sky. Five great ancient gods of calamity, leading legions of divine and demonic armies, flew overhead.

Wherever this light traveled, rivers and seas dried up, plants withered, and crops failed. Fiery meteors rained down from the sky, wars erupted, bandits ran rampant, and countless corpses littered the land.

As night fell, some people spotted a light in the darkness. Following it, they discovered a young boy sailing a paper boat, collecting the wandering, resentful souls of the world.

Soon, many throughout the Primordial Realm saw this peculiar boy, as if he possessed countless avatars. Rumors quickly spread that he was an envoy from Youdu, sent to harvest souls.

The five-colored stream of light soared towards the Heavenly River, steadily distancing itself from the Primordial Realm's continent. However, the calamities unleashed by the disaster stars could not be easily dispelled; their corrosive influence lingered for over a century before the turmoil finally subsided.

On the Heavenly River, a Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot proceeded unhurriedly, its opulent form drawn across the water by six celestial dragons.

The Celestial Heavens still hung high above the Primordial Realm. On clear days, even mortal eyes could faintly discern its lofty presence, appearing indistinct, as if suspended upside down in the sky.

With cultivated divine sight, one could even perceive the celestial marketplaces and the South Heaven Gate, guarded by divine beings.

Such sights, however, became exceedingly rare in later generations.

Although the Celestial Heavens appeared close, it was in fact very distant. Originally, it rested atop the Primordial Tree, allowing even ordinary mortals, with enough endurance, to ascend and stealthily enter. Later, it was rumored that the Primordial Lady Earth Mother, displeased by the Celestial Heavens pressing down on the Primordial Tree, caused their separation.

Afterward, the Heavenly River became the sole path leading to the Celestial Heavens.

The Heavenly River flowed through the sky, its surface teeming with vessels. However, only demigod races were typically capable of navigating its waters.

Qin Mu's Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot sped across the river, requiring him to dodge other vessels, lest he shatter them. More often than not, however, other boats would simply veer away upon seeing the Imperial Chariot from a distance. After all, only beings of immense power possessed such conveyances, and in this era, one's death at the hands of such a being would pass unnoticed.

Inside the chariot, Luo Xiao gazed pensively at the Heavenly River outside the window. Yan'er, however, became quite cheerful, offering him dried fruits. Luo Xiao initially refused but eventually grew accustomed to it, eating casually. Yet, even a Creator eventually felt full, so Yan'er then went outside the chariot to feed the Dragon Qilin.

Qin Mu was delighted to see her spirits lifted.

Yan'er was a simple girl, and navigating this cruel world was not easy for her. Her sorrow deeply affected Qin Mu.

"Luo Xiao, what exactly do you intend to do in the Celestial Heavens?" Qin Mu asked, looking at the young Creator.

Luo Xiao snapped out of his reverie. "I am here by my patriarch's command," he replied, "to see if any of our people still live in this world. My patriarch also instructed me to seek out the ancestral court and inquire about certain matters from the ancestors residing there."

He carefully avoided revealing his identity as a Creator, speaking cautiously. Without knowing who he truly was, one could not decipher the true meaning of his "ancestral court."

"The ancestral court?"

Qin Mu's heart jolted. He suddenly remembered that Xiu Zhong, the Creator, had once mentioned that a million years ago, Luo Xiao left the Grand Void for the ancestral court. There, he had traveled for a long time and received three prophecies concerning the fate of the Creator race from the ancestral spirits.

This implied that the true purpose of Luo Xiao, the ancestral spirit Creator, was identical to that of God King Lang Wo: to locate the ancestral court!

He likely came from the Grand Void to the Primordial Realm, discovered it was not the ancestral court, and then resolved to visit the Celestial Heavens to ascertain if that was the place.

However, Qin Mu knew that neither the Primordial Realm, the Celestial Heavens, Youdu, Xuandu, nor the Four Extreme Heavens were the ancestral court. The true ancestral court was, in fact, sealed on the reverse side of the major worlds.

Luo Xiao's journey was destined to fail in finding the ancestral court's location.

Luo Xiao's gaze remained wistful as he looked outside. He was a brave young Creator who, despite knowing this journey might be a one-way trip, had still walked out of the Grand Void without hesitation.

"Have you found any of your people?" Qin Mu inquired.

Luo Xiao shook his head. "For a moment, I thought you were one of my kin. Then, for another moment, I believed God Emperor Lang Xuan was. But I later discovered neither of you were."

He offered a strained smile and explained, "Our people possess a unique eye on their forehead, which you also have. However, I've observed closely, and you are not one of us. I also detected a trace of our bloodline in God Emperor Lang Xuan, but he isn't either. Perhaps there might be some of my kin in the Celestial Heavens; if so, I might be able to find our race's ancestral court through them."

Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then said, "If any of your people are in the Celestial Heavens, they would be enemies."

Luo Xiao's body trembled slightly. He was about to ask what Qin Mu meant when, abruptly, a five-colored streak of light filled their vision. The Heavenly River convulsed violently, and nearly all the boats were flung away by the hurricane conjured by the light!

A few boats remained, but the demigods aboard them shrieked in terror. They aged at a visible rate, rapidly transforming into decrepit old men and women with white hair and wrinkled skin!

"Star Lord Zhen, your unrestrained display of divine power is affecting the taste!"

A voice drifted down from above. Then, with a whoosh, the five-colored streak of light landed approximately ten *li* in front of the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot. Imposing ancient gods materialized, accompanied by legions of divine and demonic armies.

The leading ancient god, with red hair and a serpent's body, extended his hand, snatching the few remaining boats. He chuckled, "Star Lord Sui, you're quite capable; make them a bit more palatable."

From the eyes of another ancient god, who possessed a bird's head, human body, and bird's feet, a beam of light shot forth. The rapidly aging demigods on the boats seemed to rewind in time, quickly regaining their youth. Soon, old women transformed into blooming maidens, and old men became handsome youths.

"This way they'll be truly savory!"

The red-haired, serpent-bodied ancient god roared with laughter, then inhaled sharply, swallowing all the demigods from the boats in a single gulp. He then turned his gaze to the now-stopped Heavenly Dragon Imperial Chariot and sneered, "Heavenly Venerable Mu, your transgressions are revealed! Why don't you dismount and face your death?"

Luo Xiao's expression drastically changed, and he became extremely nervous.

Qin Mu glanced at him. "They are merely minor gods," he said, "there's no need for you to be so anxious, Brother Luo."

Luo Xiao's voice was hoarse. "These five wicked gods are the bane of my race," he stated. "I cannot let them see me, or I will certainly be recognized."

In front of the chariot, the six celestial dragons trembled, eyeing the Five Luminaries ancient gods with terror. They whispered to each other, "It's over! The ancient gods are here, we're all going to die!"

"It looks like the Five Luminaries Star Lords!"

"I told you we should have stayed in Yankang, followed that black-faced demon king Dutian to attack the Sky Feather world, but you refused! Now, our big brothers are probably beating up the Dutian demon king. And now, look, we're all going to die!"

One of the celestial dragons, looking rather simple-minded, remarked, "The Five Luminaries Star Lords don't appear as powerful as I imagined; they're not like the ancient gods I envisioned. My imagined ancient gods should be magnificent figures like Tu Bo..."

"Maha! Maha!"

The other five celestial dragons cursed at him, shouting, "Shut up! The ancient gods from primordial times are definitely more powerful!"

The Dragon Qilin, enraged, rose and bellowed, "Maha!"

The six celestial dragons immediately ceased their whispering, offering placating smiles. "Brother Pi is right," they said, "we shouldn't talk so much. If the sky falls, Heavenly Venerable will bear the weight."

The Dragon Qilin nodded slowly, quite satisfied. He then turned back towards the chariot and announced, "Cult Master, there are some ancient gods outside who don't know their place, blocking our way. Please decide how to proceed."

Yan'er lifted the bead curtain, and Qin Mu slowly stepped out. He then looked forward, his expression a half-smile as he said, "So it's the Five Luminaries Star Lords. You block my path, but I wonder why?"

He looked at the Five Luminaries Star Lords, his gaze lingering on Star Lord Zhen, and he paused, slightly surprised. In his memory, Youdu's Star Lord Zhen was a seductive woman with a human head and serpent's body, possessing a feminine appearance but a male voice, with abundant hair draped over her chest, presenting a peculiar and alluring figure.

The Star Lord Zhen before him also had a human head and serpent's body, but he was male. His long hair was disheveled, his chest bare. In one hand, he held a white banner, and in the other, a polished mirror. A long, forked serpent's tongue flickered in and out of his mouth.

"Could the Star Lord Zhen of later generations be a god or demon cultivated by a postnatal being?"

Qin Mu mused, "This suggests that the true ancient god Star Lord Zhen, like Star Lord Great Sun, has already perished, replaced by postnatal gods and demons. It appears the Five Luminaries Star Lords will die in a future battle. I wonder who will be their killer?"

Star Lord Zhen, the leader of the Five Luminaries Star Lords and possessor of the greatest power, swam forward with a flick of his tail. He extended his long tongue, sweeping it gently, and a boat downstream was reeled in. Tilting his head back, he swallowed the vessel and its occupants whole, then chuckled, "Heavenly Venerable Mu, you have offended God Emperor Lang Xuan, assaulted his Divine Palace, and wantonly slaughtered innocents. Lang Xuan has reported you. Will you surrender to your death, or shall we personally execute you?"

Qin Mu chuckled. "Five Luminaries," he said, "you are renowned ancient gods, embodiments of the Great Dao. How can you simply believe Lang Xuan's one-sided account and indiscriminately come to kill me? I am, after all, a Heavenly Venerable appointed by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor! Where is Lang Xuan? Bring him forth, and I shall confront him."

Star Lord Sui flapped his bird wings, cackling, "Heavenly Venerable Mu, do you truly think you're an important figure? You assaulted Heavenly Venerable Hao, who is the Heavenly Emperor's son. The Heavenly Emperor has long desired your demise; this is merely a convenient opportunity!"

Inside the chariot, Luo Xiao groaned, his heart pounding, almost desperate to flee. "I thought Heavenly Venerable Mu meant he had many enemies, but only minor ones that I could help him handle if he couldn't," he thought. "I never imagined even the Heavenly Emperor was his foe! If I keep following him, I'm surely doomed! Even if he survives this encounter with the Five Luminaries ancient gods, going to the Celestial Heavens would be suicide, and I'd be dragged along with him!"

However, he was now hiding within the chariot, afraid to reveal himself. If the Five Luminaries ancient gods discovered his true form, he too would surely perish.

He was now filled with endless regret, wishing he had never hitched a ride with Qin Mu just to save a little effort. Who would have thought that what seemed like a convenient lift was actually a pirate ship!

Qin Mu chuckled. "Five Luminaries," he said, "since the method of attaining godhood spread, the era of the ancient gods has effectively ended. Like ducks sensing the warmth of the spring river, don't you even possess that much awareness? Do you recall General Jinwu Niu Ben? He gave you quite a terrible beating back then."

The Five Luminaries Star Lords erupted in fury. Star Lord Zhen, without a word, raised his mirror and cast its light upon Qin Mu. Qin Mu stood unmoving, a faint smile on his face. "You command death," he said, "yet I possess the art of creation, which can avert it. Your Great Dao is useless against me."

Star Lord Ying Huo, carrying a large bottle on his back, took it down. The plague qi within the bottle roared forth, surging towards Qin Mu.

Qin Mu remained unperturbed, chuckling. "My medical skills are unparalleled," he said, "I can revive the dead and mend bones. What can such a minor art do against me?"

Star Lord Ying Huo's expression changed drastically.

Star Lord Tai Bai struck a large drum, its thunderous beat unleashing calamities meant to deplete Qin Mu's good fortune.

Qin Mu remained unmoving, chuckling. "After all," he said, "you five are ancient gods. If you leave now, I can still allow you some dignity. Otherwise, do not fault me for being merciless."

Star Lord Chen brandished his trident, causing the Heavenly River to churn. "Enough talk with him!" he roared. "Children, attack! Seize this rebel!"

Whoosh—

From behind the Five Luminaries Star Lords, countless Five Luminaries offspring roared to life, surging forward in a frenzy!

Qin Mu frowned. With a gentle twist of his palm, a sword pellet materialized in his hand.

He flicked his finger, and the sword pellet multiplied: one became two, two became four, four became eight. In an instant, the sky swarmed with rotating sword pellets!

As the sword pellets spun, they unleashed streams of sword light that danced like dragons, resembling a downpour of blades that rained down upon the Five Luminaries Star Lords' army!

The gods and demons erupted, roaring fiercely as they advanced into the sword light. The next moment, their cries abruptly ceased.

Countless corpses stained the Heavenly River crimson.

In front of the chariot, the dull-witted celestial dragon's voice broke the silence. "Didn't I tell you?" he said. "They are very weak, but you still wouldn't believe me! These Five Luminaries ancient gods must be fakes; in my eyes, they're not that powerful! All six of us brothers combined could take on one or two of them!"

"Maha!" The other five dragons roared angrily, telling him to be quiet.